A display device for holding flowers and displaying pictures, videos, or the like, with voice control and lights includes a structure having a base, a medial section, and a top section. The base, medial section, and top section are separably coupled together to define the structure. A display screen is coupled to and faces outwardly from said structure.

A container apparatus can receive and hold a beverage container such as a beverage can or bottle. The apparatus can include a light assembly and can be used as a flashlight. A magnet can be positioned on the outer surface of the apparatus, and the apparatus can be magnetically attached to a metal support structure, such as

An active foodware system senses food characteristics, such as weight, calories, and other nutrition. Dining dishes may be removably mated with dish holders supported by a mechanical structure having visual stimulating, sensing, and wireless communication components. A visual stimulating component may emit light from a dining dish. The mechanical structure may protect the components and circuitry from liquid. The system may include a camera. Other components may provide data processing, auditory and haptic stimuli, wireless power, temperature sensing, and heating of food. Data related to the food may be sent to the internet as well as displayed on a visual stimulating component of a computer or mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone or tablet computer. Computer software may display nutrition information on the visual stimulating component before, during, and after dining. Computer software may provide visual and auditory encouragement for children to eat.

A propeller food plate assembly has a plate component and a propeller component that includes a plurality of propellers that subdivide the plate into a plurality of compartments for holding food during a dining activity. During a different recreational activity, the components rotate when the assembly is thrown and spun in the air. During flight, the components initially engage each other in a torque-transmitting relationship, and subsequently move apart. The propellers have contoured, aerodynamic surfaces configured to enhance an aerodynamic flight characteristic of the assembly. One or more light sources may be mounted on the assembly to emit light.

The invention provides an annular shroud configured to be positioned around a tree stand. The annular shroud has one or more display panels configured to display digital images about a perimeter of the tree stand. In some embodiments, the invention further includes a tree stand display assembly comprising a tree, a tree stand supporting the tree in an upright orientation, and the annular shroud around the tree stand.

Disclosed is an artificial tree having a plurality of electrified tree sections that couple together to provide power and/or command signals to devices connected thereto. One or more tree sections may have a trunk portion, one or more electrical connectors having a plurality of terminals, branches, a light string, and an electrical distribution system located at least partially within the trunk portion. A first tree section may be configured to couple to a second tree section such that an electrical connector of the first tree section is in electrical connection with an electrical connector of the second tree section, thereby mechanically and electrically connecting the first tree section to the second tree section such that power and/or the control data are transmitted to the second tree section. Further, each trunk segment may include an axial electrical connector that permits adjacent trunk segments to connect in a plurality of radial orientations relative to each other.

Apparatus and associated methods may relate to an artificial tree apparatus having a plurality of trunk segments that couple together to provide a plurality of information or command signals to load devices connected thereto. In an illustrative example, one or more branch segments having light emitting devices are connected to the trunk segments to independently receive the electrical power and command signals via a control system. In some implementations, each command signal generated by the control system may include data pertaining to light color and illumination pattern. In some embodiments, each branch segment and associated light emitting devices may be independently controlled via a multi-channel arrangement. In some implementations, each group of light emitting devices may be manually configured via one or more user-interfaces. In various implementations, each trunk segment may include an axial electrical connector which permits adjacent trunk segments from being connected in any radial orientation relative to each other.

A beverage vessel having an upper opening and a closure element with a locking mechanism and an actuation element, a light distribution element arranged at the closure element, and a light emitter positioned such that the light emitted by the light emitter passes at least a part of the volume of the beverage container before entering the light distribution element. The light emitter may display information relating to the beverage including temperature and fill level. The beverage vessel may be utilized in a method of monitoring a beverage consumption and a consumption of minerals.

An up-lighting floor mat includes floor matting that defines an upwardly-facing surface and an opposed downwardly-facing surface when supported atop an upwardly-facing support surface, and that is formed from a first flexible material that enables the up-lighting floor mat to be rolled up for transport or storage; and a first elongate up-lighting assembly positioned within a first elongate slot defined through the floor matting to emit light upwardly from the first elongate slot, wherein at least one elongate edge defined by the first up-lighting assembly is bonded to at least one edge of the floor matting that defines the first elongate slot.

A multi-sectional artificial tree with internal and external power wiring for distributing and controlling power to a network of lights. The tree includes multiple tree sections, each tree section with a set of power wires inside a tree trunk, and a network of lighting wires outside the trunk. The network of lighting wires includes a tree-section wire network with a large gauge wire supplying power to groups of lights strings on branches on the tree trunk. Each group of branches has a branch-level lighting network with multiple connectors in series, and that connects to one connector of the tree-section wire network. Each branch-level lighting network powers multiple light strings connected in series, one light string per branch. The wires of the light strings are small gauge, and are connected by the branch-level connectors by a small-wire-to-large-wire connector.